Richard Mennear

BBC presenter Dan Walker has hit back after Jeff Stelling slammed Alan Shearer for his dressing room teamtalk to Blyth Spartans ahead of the FA Cup clash with Hartlepool United.

Sky Sports presenter Stelling was left angry with the decision to film pundit Shearer inside the Spartans dressing room prior to kick-off.

Shearer gave the non-league side a rousing team talk, with Spartans going on to win 2-1 in dramatic fashion.

But Walker has hit back and said the BBC requested the same access from both sides, Pools declined but Blyth said yes.

Shearer was a pundit for the second round match alongside Trevor Sinclair and presenter Walker at Victoria Park.

Hartlepool-born Stelling said: “This is not a rant and I am not bitter in anyway.

“Well done to Blyth Spartans, they were the second best side clearly on the night but well done to them.

“That happens in cup football. I wish them well.

“The referee? He had a good game apart from not spotting the ball was 18-inches over the line for a goal he disallowed but apart from that he had a good game so well done to him.

“I’m not bitter with him at all.

“But I tell you what, the BBC, there are licence payers in Hartlepool and it was completely unacceptable to have Alan Shearer in the Blyth Spartans dressing room before the game saying their will be heroes this evening on that pitch make sure it is one of you in the Green and White.

“Unacceptable. BBC hang your head in shame.

“I’m not bitter.”

Stelling’s comments provoked laughter from the panel members including Paul Merson and Matt Le Tissier.

In response to Stelling’s outburst, Walker tweeted from his @mrdanwalker account: “Worth pointing out that we requested exactly the same access to Hartlepool as Blyth. H understandably said ‘no’ B said ‘yes’ #FACup

“Culture is 2 close doors 2 the media. Warrington & Blyth opened them & that benefited the coverage. Exeter & H’pool entitled to decline.

“As Shearer joked on Fri “Are u sure you want me? We all know what happened at Newcastle!”